Abstract: Apparatus and method for ventilating a patient in which a fluid is provided to a patient during an exhalation/quiescent phase, in which a pressure, a flow, or a volume of fluid is provided at a baseline level. The flow of fluid from such a patient is released during a release phase following the exhalation/quiescent phase, by decreasing the pressure, flow, or volume of fluid from the baseline level to a release level below the baseline level. The pressure, flow, or volume of fluid during a delivery phase following the release phase is increased from the release level to a peak level that is above the baseline level. Finally, the pressure, flow, or volume of fluid is allowed to return from the peak level to the baseline level.

Abstract: A model EMG signal is produced from a measured EMG signal that includes a patient's EMG signal and ECG signal by processing the measured EMG signal to produce a logic signal that is in a first binary state in the absence of a P wave, a QRS complex and a T wave of an ECG cycle of the measured EMG signal and that is in a second binary state during at least one of the P wave, the QRS complex and the T wave of the ECG cycle. The measured EMG signal is processed to produce a first envelope signal. The model EMG signal is produced as a function of the first envelope signal when the logic signal is in the first binary state and the absence of the first envelope signal when the logic signal is in the second binary state.

Abstract: A monitoring catheter that inserts into the patient's esophagus alone or in combination with an existing catheter, such as a feeding or aspiration tube. The monitoring catheter includes a pair of EMG electrodes on an exposed surface that contact the patient's esophageal wall to measure the activity of the diaphragm and/or a pair of pressure detecting mechanisms that measure the pressures within the patient at separate locations. The electrodes are sized and spaced from one another so as to maximize detection of diaphragm muscle activity while minimizing detection of noise. The pressure detecting mechanisms are sized and spaced apart to measure the patient's esophageal and gastric pressures, for example. If necessary, an attaching mechanism secures at least a portion of the monitoring catheter to the existing catheter so that the monitoring catheter uses the existing catheter as a tracking guide.